Grinder for grinding the faces of edge-supported workpieces

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for grinding the faces of edge-supported workpieces such as metal slabs, billets, coil, strip and the like by means of a vertically disposed grinding head which can include an abrasive belt, with the apparatus including guide apparatus whereby the workpiece can be presented to the abrasive belt, and if desired, can be presented a plurality of times in reverse directions to the abrasive belt surface whereby several cuts can be made on the same surface, with the guide apparatus including a turntable whereby the workpiece can be turned 180* for grinding both sides.

United States Patent Inventors Dirck J. Olton Loudonville, N.Y.;

Witold C. Przygocki, Southl'ield, Mich. 77 5,468

Nov. 13, 1968 Aug. 10, 1971 Murray-Way Corporation;

Norton Company Troy, N.Y. part interest to each Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignees GRINDER FOR GRINDING THE FACES 0F EDGE- surronrsn WORKPIECES 31 Claims, 22 Drawing Figs.

us. or 51/155,

FieldofSearch 51/135,

[56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,602,597 10/1926 Staude 51/78 UX 1,689,703 10/1928 Vidaver. 51/78 1,958,001 5/1934 Heim 51/74 Primary Examiner0thell M, Simpson Alt0rneyHarness, Dickey 8L Pierce ABSTRACT: An apparatus for grinding the faces of edge-supported workpieces such as metal slabs, billets, coil, strip and the like by means of a vertically disposed grinding head which can include an abrasive belt, with the apparatus including guide apparatus whereby the workpiece can be presented to the abrasive belt, and if desired, can be presented a plurality of times in reverse directions to the abrasive belt surface whereby several cuts can be made on the same surface, with the guide apparatus including a turntable whereby the workpiece can be turned 180 for grinding both sides.

Patented Aug. 10, 1971 12 Shoots-Sheet 1 Patented Aug. 10, 1971 3,597,881

12 Shuts-Shoot 4 Patented Aug. 10, 1971 12 Shuts-Sheet 7 m Mk 5 @2 2 4 W 4 5 z 4.. 2W 2 LYI/I g Patented Au 10, 1971 12 Shuts-Shut 9 my 7 Z a m i Jw MB 7 Patented Aug. 10, 1971 12 Shuts-Shoot 10 ENTO m r 7 7 Z '1. 1 0

12 ShOOtU-ShQQi 11 iii ii/i

Patented Aug. 10, 1971 3,597,881

12 slum-spat 1:

I an 17? GRINDER FOR GRINDING TIIE FACES OF EDGE- SUIPIPOR'IED WORKPIECES SUMMARY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for grinding relatively fiat-surfaced workpieces such as slab, sheet, billet, and coil material. Thus, merely by way of example, material having a thickness of from about 0.05 inch to 8 inches, a face width of from about inches to 52 inches, and a length of up to 25 feet and more, can be processed according to the invention.

While the present invention is specifically shown and described for use in grinding of metal slabs, it should be understood that features of the present invention can be utilized in other grinding applications on, for example, metal coil and sheet, as well as on nonmetal sheets and structures.

In many applications work materials, e.g., coil, plate, etc. are formed from large metal slabs. However, it is necessary in order to produce top quality, hence salable material, particularly high alloy stainless steel, that the metal slabs have substantially clean surfaces, i.e., be free of surface imperfections, seams, scale, oxides, etc. It is the practice to first process the metal slabs to remove the scale, etc. In the removal process, however, it is important that the surfaces be cleaned and, in the case of costly steel alloys, it is important that there be a minimum of stock removal and that a good surface be developed. In the past it has been common practice to grind the face of metal slabs, while supported horizontally, by abrasive wheels of limited width, e.g., about 3 inches in width; hence, multiple passes, longitudinally, with the grinding wheel were required in order to complete one grinding operation across the face of the slab. Such grinding procedure is not only time consuming, but most disadvantageously results in surface gouging, thus producing a scalloped surface which requires additional finishing. Moreover, slab grinding, using abrasive wheels, results in a relatively coarse finish and residual grinding lines show up that require further conditioning in, e.g., the production of coil by abrasive belt grinding. With the advent of new Steelmaking processes, slab quality is improved with respect to the amount of scale, etc. While such results in less conditioning of the slab, it requires that what conditioning is done results in a high quality surface with the minimum of stock removal. In the present invention, an abrasive member extending the complete width of the face of the slab to be ground is utilized, i.e., such as a wide, coated abrasive belt, a cylinder having an abrasive beltlike surface, wide abrasive wheels, or the like, hence simplifying the grinding operation.

In addition, in the method and apparatus of the'present invention the slabs are supported on an edge with the surface to be ground extending vertically; this facilitates the grinding of opposite faces on the slab. Thus, in the present invention a face of the slab can be ground and the slab can be conveniently turned end for end by means of a turntable whereby the opposite side can be presented to the abrasive belt and ground. In another aspect, both faces of the slab can be ground in one pass through the apparatus by providing grinding means on both sides of the slab. Such vertical grinding as above mentioned is of great advantage in virtually eliminating the swarf problem. Swarf, in the process according to the invention, tends to drop off, thus aiding in the grinding process and, in the case of some metals, in the prevention of swarf rewelding. With horizontal slab grinding, particularly with heavy stock removal, a relatively large flood of oil is needed to remove the grinding swarf.

In the handling of metal slabs in many instances the surfaces to be ground, which from a distance appear to be flat are, on closer examination, in fact, found to be warped, curved, undulating and the like. A workpiece may even be found to be, more or less, tapered from one edge to the other. The apparatus of the present invention is particularly suited to handle such generally flat surfaced workpieces while still permitting effective and accurate grinding of the surface with a minimumof stock removal. Hence, in comparison to past processes or apparatus, with the present invention grinding is facilitated while resulting in the generation of a better and more highly polished surface, better controlled material removal, and with the removal of less slab material. Moreover, the inspection of slabs for further processing is improved by belt finishing, as compared with wheel finishing, because surface imperfections are more readily observable. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for grinding generally fiat workpieces.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for grinding generally flat workpieces in which the workpieces can be revolved whereby opposite surfaces can be ground.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for grinding metal slabs having warped and curved surfaces.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a generally top elevational view depicting the grinding apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view to enlarged scale taken substantially along the lines 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view to enlarged scale taken substantially along the lines 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view to enlarged scale taken in the direction ofarrow Sin FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 taken in the direction of the arrow 6',

FIG. 7 is an elevational view to enlarged scale taken substantially along the lines 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a plan view to enlarged scale taken in the direction ofthe arrow 8 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken generally along the lines 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view to enlarged scale taken generally along the lines 10-10 in FIG. I;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view depicting the control rolls, billy roll and contact roll in working relationship with a slab to be ground;

FIG. 12 is a plan view to enlarged scale taken in the direction of the arrow 12in FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of the control roll taken generally along the lines 13-13 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a view to enlarged scale of the apparatus in the dot-dash lines of FIG. 12 indicated by the arrow 14;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view to increased scale taken in the direction of the arrows 15-15 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view to increased scale taken generally along the lines 16-16 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is an elevational view of the billy roll taken in the direction of arrow 17-17 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a plan view taken in the direction of the arrow 18 in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an elevational view taken in the direction of the arrow 19in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an elevational view of a part of the turntable;

FIG. 21 is an elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 20 taken generally in the direction of the arrows 21-21; and

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 3 taken generally along the lines 22-22.

Looking now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of a grinding apparatus of the present invention is generally iridicatedby the numeral 10 and includes a grinding section 12, a pair of identical feed sections 14 and 16 located on opposite sides of the grinding section 12 and a pair of guide sections 18 and 20 which are oppositely disposed in the grinder assembly 10 and located adjacent feed sections 14 and 16, respectively. The guide sections 18 and 20 are similar except that guide section 18 is stationarily mounted while the guide section 20 is mounted for rotatable movement whereby the opposite side of a workpiece can be presented to the grind section 12.

The guide section 18 includes a plurality of identical, horizontally extending vertical support roll assemblies 2211 through 22e. Each of the vertical support roll assemblies 22a22e includes a roll 24a-24e, respectively, which is supported for rotation by means of a gearbox assembly 2611 through 261:, respectively. The gearboxes 26a-26e are interconnected by drive shafts 28 which are connected to be driven from a common source 29. The rolls 24a to 24e can be selectively power driven in either direction such that a workpiece can be fed either toward or away from the grinding section 12. The vertical height of the rolls 24a to 242 can be adjusted whereby workpieces having faces of different widths can be accommodated. Thus the workpiece W is supported on one edge on the rolls 24a through 24e and can be power driven away or towards the guide section 12.

While the rolls 24a-24e vertically support and locate the workpiece W, a plurality of vertical guide roll assemblies 30a through 30c are provided to horizontally locate and guide the workpiece W such as to properly align that surface of the workpiece W to be ground relative to the feed section 14 and grinding section 12. Each of the guide roll assemblies 300-30 c includes master roll subassemblies 32a-32c located on one side of workpiece W and slave roll subassemblies 340-340 located on the opposite side of workpiece W. Each of the subassemblies 32a-32c includes a vertically supported guide roll 36a-36respectively, while each of the subassemblies 34a-- 34c includes a vertically supported guide roll 38a-38c, respectively. The subassemblies 32a-32c are master assemblies and are selectively actuable so that the rolls 36a36c can be moved in a horizontal plane to a position engaging the surface of the workpiece W to be ground and locating that surface in a preselected position for entrance into the feed section 14. The subassemblies 34a34c are slave subassemblies and the rolls 3811-38c associated therewith are moved horizontally relative to the associated rolls 36a36c of the master subassemblies 3211 through 32c. in operation, first the master rolls 36a-36c are moved to selected positions engaging the one surface of the workpiece W; next the slave rolls 3811 through 380 are actuated to move toward the associated master rolls to engage the opposite side of workpiece W. Note that the master rolls t36a-36c are separately movable; thus the rolls 3611-360 can be individually operated to maneuver the workpiece W such that its leading edge will be along the pass line so that it can be properly fed into the feed section 14. Thus the workpiece W can be selectively engaged via the rolls 3611-361 such as to position the workpiece W to be properly fed or guided into the feed section 14. The rolls 3611-360 and 3811-381- are not powered but are supported to roll freely and the workpiece W will be moved by the vertical support rolls 24a24e. The details ofthe guide section 18 will be discussed later at which time the details of the other sections will also be discussed.

Next, the workpiece W is introduced into the feed section 14. The feed section 14 comprises a pair of outer vertically extending pinch rolls 40a and 40b located on one side of the workpiece W and a pair of inner pinch rolls 42a and 42b which are located on the opposite side. The rolls 40a, 40b and 42a, 42b are normally located apart as the workpiece W is introduced therebetween. Next these rolls, which are power driven, are actuated to grip the workpiece W and to move it into the grinding section 12. After the workpiece W has been gripped by the pinch rolls in the feed section 14, the operator can release the guide roll assemblies 300 through 301', since their primary function is to guide the workpiece W as it is fed into the feed section 14. if desired, however, the operator can maintain a grip on the workpiece W with the guide roll assemblies, or any of them, in order to maintain pass line, particularly with respect to workpieces, having a high degree of curvature, warp, or the like. At the same time the support roll assemblies 220 through 22e can be disconnected from power and permitted to roll freely such that the workpiece W is moved solely by the pinch or feed rolls 40a, 40b and 42a, 42b. If desired or required the operator can maintain power to the vertical support rolls 22a through 222. The feed rolls 40a, 40b and 42a, 42b are mounted for selected pivotal movement such that they can accommodate the twist or warpage of the surface of the workpiece W. The feed sections 14 and 16 include vertical support roll assemblies 231: and 23b which are similar to assemblies 22a-22c and which are connected therewith for powered rotation via drive shafts 25. The workpiece W is now ready to be fed into the grinding section 12.

The grinding section 12 includes a vertically supported contact roll 44 which is driven by means of an electric motor 46 via wheels 48 and 52 and belts 50 and 56. in a preferred form of the invention an endless coated abrasive belt 58 is utilized for grinding and is supported to extend over the contact roll 44 and over an idler roll 60. The position of the contact roll 44 and hence grinding belt 58 is generally fixed and hence the workpiece W is manipulated relative to the roll 44 whereby the depth ofcut is selected. The depth of cut is set by a backup or billy roll 64 which is selectively moved into a predetermined position to engage the opposite surface of the workpiece W. This position is determined by ascertaining, from inspection of the workpiece, the desired thickness of material to be removed therefrom, by means of a micrometer caliper, or the like, and then setting the position of the billy roll at the predetermined position in accordance with a position indicator. The billy roll 64 is mounted for pivotal movement in a vertical plane to accommodate for warpage and variations in the contour of the surface of the workpiece W opposite to the surface being ground. A control roll 62, which is vertically supported and can be selectively moved in a horizontal plane relative to the axis of the contact roller 44, engages the side of workpiece W to be ground and applies a force against the workpiece W through a mechanical system that permits the control roll 62 to slave the movements of the billy roll 64. This force is restrained by the backup or billy roll 64. Since the billy roll 64 is free to pivot in a vertical plane, this control roll holds the surface of workpiece W being ground parallel to the axis of contact roller 44. While the control roll 62 is not powered but rotates freely the billy roll 64 is power driven to assist in moving workpiece W. The position of the billy roll 64 determines the amount of metal to be removed. Note that because of the irregular contour of the workpiece W the apparatus of the present invention is constructed such that the workpiece W is gripped adjacent to that part being ground with the remainder of the workpiece W being free to vary in position whereby these irregularities in contour are accommodated while a minimum of material is removed. However, in order to assure that the workpiece W is securely held, a second control roll 66 located on the opposite side ofthe contact roll 44 is positioned in line with the contact roll 44 so that it will engage the ground surface of workpiece W after it has passed the belt 58. Thus workpiece W is firmly gripped by a three point contact as defined by control rolls 62 and 66 and billy roll 64 all of which are located proximate the area of grinding. As the workpiece W is fed through the grinding section 12, the one surface is ground. The second control roll 66 is identical in function and operation to control roll 62 is set to apply a force or pressure to the workpiece W when such is moved through the grinding section 12 in an opposite direction while roll 62 at that time is set to apply a force corresponding to the prior support position of roll 66 whereby again the workpiece W will be firmly gripped by a three point contact.

As the workpiece is moved through the grinding section 12 its leading end is moved into the feed section 16, which is similar to the feed section 14, and the workpiece W is gripped and moved by the pinch or drive rolls 40c, 40d and 42c, 4211, which are similar in function and operation to the rolls 4011, 40b and 42a, 42b, respectively. The workpiece W is then driven by the combined effect of the feed sections 14 and 16 through grinding section 12 and into the guide section 20. The guide section 20 is similar to the guide section 18 and includes vertical support roll assemblies 22f-22j (similar to roll assemblies 22a to 22e) which vertically support the workpiece W along its edge. The workpiece W, as it is moved into the guide section 20, is also moved through guide roll assemblies 30d-30g (similar to guide roll assemblies 30a30c). As the workpiece W is passed into the guide section 20, the rolls associated with the support roll assemblies 22f22j are free rolling and the rolls associated with the guide roll assemblies 30d30g are separated. Upon the completion of the grinding pass by the workpiece W and with workpiece W in guide section the operator can then actuate the support roll assem blies 22f-22j and the guide roll assemblies 30d-30g to reverse the travel of workpiece W to move it through the grinding section 12 in the opposite direction. In this reverse t direction the direction of rotation of the contact roll 44 is reversed and the depth of cut is determined by billy roll 64.

The feed section 16 performs the same function as initially performed by the feed section 14, and vice versa, and the workpiece W is transmitted to guide section 18.

If it is desired to grind the opposite side of the workpiece W, then with the workpiece W located in the guide section 20 the entire guide section can be rotated 180 such that the opposite surface of the workpiece W will then be presented to the grinding section 12 and the sequence of operations previously noted can be repeated. The guide section 18 is supported on a fixed platform 71. In contrast guide section 20 is supported upon a turntable 70 which has a plurality of wheel assemblies 72 which are located upon a circular track 74 with a motor 75 providing power to rotate the turntable 70. Thus, the guide section 20 can be rotated l80 in the direction of the arrow 76 to reverse the surface of the workpiece W to be ground and it can be rotated ISO in the direction of the arrow 78 back to its original position to again reverse the direction of the workpiece.

In the discussion that follows a detailed description of the various sections is given; note that in the drawings like components serving similar functions have been given the same number with a different letter suffix.

GUIDE SECTION Since each of the support roll assemblies 22a to 22e is subhydraulically actuated screwjacks 83, which can be selectively actuated by the operator. All of the support rolls can be similarly actuated whereby the support height of the workpiece W can be altered. In this way, workpieces W having various face widths can be located such as to be generally centrally positioned relative to the grinding section 12.

As previously noted, the roll 24a is driven via the gearbox 26a from-the common hydraulic motor 29. The source 29 can be actuated whereby the workpiece W will be driven or can be deactuated such that roll 24a will be free to roll without power. The assemblies 22f-22j of guide section 20 are similar to assemblies 22a22e ofguide section 18.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show the details of the guide roll assembly 3011. The guide roll assembly 30a includes the master roll assembly 32a and the slave roll assembly 34a. The master assembly 32a includes a frame assembly 84a which is fixed to the platform 71 and which supports a slide assembly 880 for slidable movement towards and away from the workpiece W on guide rods 89a supported in guides 91a. The guide roll 36a is rotatably supported upon a support assembly 90d which is pivotably supported at the forward end of the slide assembly 88a via a pivot structure 920. Hence, the roll 36a is free to roll to thereby guide the workpiece W and is also free to pivot so as to follow the contour of the workpiece W. The roll support assembly 90a is held in position by balance spring assemblies 94a and 9611 which include threaded shafts 98a and 100a, which are pivotally fixed to the upper end of the roller support assembly a. Balance springs 102a and 104a associated with rod 98a and balance springs 106a and [08a associated with rod generally maintain roll 36a in a vertical position. However, the balance spring assemblies 94a and 96a operate in the manner known in the art to permit pivotal movement of the support 90a, and hence roll 360, about the pivot assembly 92a with the balance spring assemblies 94a and 96a resiliently urging roll 36!: to its original, upright position. The transverse position of the slide assembly 88a, and hence roll 36a, can be selectively varied by selective actuation of a hydraulically actuated piston 1100 which is connected between the frame assembly 84a and the slide assembly 88a. Thus by actuation of the piston 11011 the roll 36a can be moved transversely towards and away from the workpiece W.

The slave assembly 34a is of a construction similar to the master assembly 32a and like components have been given the same number with the addition of 100, i.e., the equivalent of piston 1100 for assembly 34a has number 210a, etc. The pistons 110a and 210a will generally maintain the rolls 36a and 38a in fixed positions. The piston 210a however is connected with a pressure relief mechanism 211a, of a type known in the art, such that when a preselected relative force is applied to roll 380 by workpiece W, the piston 210a will retract while still exerting the selected force. Thus piston 210a will permit roll 38a to accommodate variations in thickness of the workpiece W while the roll 36a is maintained fixed. In this way roll 36a can be fixed to determine the pass line of the workpiece W and the roll 38a can be moved whereby workpiece W will be securely gripped between rolls 36a and 380 with roll 38a being movable under preselected load conditions whereby variations in material thickness along the length of the slab W can be accommodated. In operation, individual ones or more of the assemblies 30a-30c (or 30d-30g in guide section 20) can be actuated to properly orient the workpiece W relative to the feed section 141 (or feed section 16). Guide projections 101a and 201a are provided at the upper ends of frame assemblies 84a and 184a to protect rolls 36a and 38a if the workpiece W is introduced vertically downwardly into the guide section 18. The assemblies 30d- 30g are similar to assemblies 30a-30c except that no projections corresponding to projections 101a and 201a are provided since the workpiece W is initially introduced into section 18 and not into section 20.

FEED SECTION The feed sections 14 and 16 are similar and hence only the feed section 14 will be described in detail. The pinch rolls 40a and 40b are located on the side of the workpiece W to be ground in a frame assembly 300. The frame assembly 300 includcs transversely extending upper guides 302a, 304a and 306a and corresponding lower transversely extending guides 302b, 304band $06!). A main slide 308a is slidably supported between guides 302a and one side of guide 3040 and a second main slide 310a is supported for slidable movement between the other side of the guide 3040 and the guide 306a. Similar lower main slides such as 308b, 31% are slidably supported relative to guides 302b, 304 and 306b. Pistons 312a and 314a are connected between the frame 300 and main slides 308a and 310a. In a similar manner pistons such as 312?) (not shown in the drawing), 314b are connected with the lower main slides. By selected actuation of the pistons 312a, b and 314a, b the position of the pinch rolls 40a, 40b can be selectively varied such as to be along the pass line in a position to engage the workpiece W. The rolls 42a and 42b are also movable with the upper main slides 308a, 310a and lower main slides, i.e., 3101). The pinch rolls 42a and 421;, however, are also supported upon secondary slides whereby these rolls can be moved separately on the main slides, i.e., 308a, 310a, 310b, etc. Thus, pinch roll 42a is supported at its upper end on secondary slide 3200 and at its lower end by slide 32%. Slide 320a is actuable by a piston 322a, while slide 32Gb is actuable by piston 32222. The p'stons 322a and 322b are connected between the corresponding main slides 310a and 310!) and the secondary slides 320a and 320b. In a similar manner, the pinch roll 42b is supported on upper secondary slide 3160 and a similar lower secondary slide which secondary slides are movable by pistons 318a and 318 relative to the associated main slides. The main slides are generally channel shaped to thereby slidably accommodate the associated secondary slides. Hence, in operation the pinch rolls 40a, 40b and 42a, 42b are first positioned (via the main slides) to bring the pinch rolls 40a and 40b generally in line with the pass line of the workpiece W by actuation of pistons 312a, 312!) and 3140, 314b. The workpiece W is then moved in line with rolls 40a and 40b. Next, the secondary pinch rolls 42a and 42/) are moved relative to the pinch rolls 40a and 40b by actuation of the secondary pistons to securely grip the workpiece W. With workpiece W gripped the rolls 40a, 40b, 42a and 4]!) can be provided to drive the workpiece W. With this construction it is possible to lock the pinch rolls in this position in engagement with the workpiece W. By the provision of suitable apparatus (not shown) the pinch rolls can be permitted to float together with relief valves acting on the main pistons 31211, 31217 and 314a, 314b. In addition, the relief valves can be provided for the pistons 3180, 318b and 32211, 322b to permit relative movement of the secondary pinch rolls 42a, 42b to accommodate variations in thickness of the workpiece W. In addition, with the arrangements as shown by selective actuation of selected ones only of the pistons the pinch rolls can be selectively pivoted.

The pinch rolls are driven by means of drive shaft and universal joint assemblies 321 which in turn are driven by a hydraulic motor 324 acting through a gearbox 326. Thus, in operation, the workpiece W is introduced into the feed section 14 where the surface of the workpiece W to be ground is moved into a selected position along the pass line. In this position, the workpiece W is gripped by the guide rolls. Next, the primary pinch rolls 40a and 40b are moved into engagement with the surface of the workpiece W to be ground by actuation of the main pistons 312a, 312b, etc.; next, the secondary pinch rolls 42a and 42b are moved into engagement with the opposite side of the workpiece by actuation of the secondary pistons 318a, 318b, etc. Next, the operator can release the guide rolls and by actuating the fluid motor 324 can begin the movement of the workpiece W into the grinding section I2. Note that the feed section I6 is substantially similar to the feed section 14 and hence a detailed description thereof has been omitted for purposes ofsimplicity.

GRINDING SECTION The control roll 62 (see FIGS. l3, l4, l and 16) is secured for rotation in a vertically extending support bracket 400 which is fixed to a slide assembly 402 which is slidably mounted in a holder frame 404. The bracket 400 is slidable relative to the frame 404 by a screwjack assembly 406 which can be hydraulically driven by a fluid motor 405 whereby the frame 400 can be moved transversely towards or away from the pass line of the workpiece W. Intermediate the screwjack 406 and the frame 400 is a hydraulically actuated cylinder 408 which serves a purpose to be described. In operation, the roll 62 is moved generally to the pass line and is then in a position which is transversely offset from the grinding abrasive belt 58. This can be set by actuation ofthe screwjack 406. The hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly 408 can be ofa conventional construction and normally has its piston in a retracted position prior to grinding. During the grinding operation, however, the piston is pressurized to cause it to extend. Nevertheless, this force is opposed by workpiece W and billy roll 64 and no movement ofthe piston occurs. In the event of breakage of the belt 58, this occurrence is sensed, by means known in the art, and a signal is transmitted whereby fluid pressure will be supplied to piston 518 causing it to be actuated moving the hilly roll 64 in the retracted position. Because piston 408 is pressurized the retraction ofpiston 518 results in the movement of control roll 62 and workpiece W away from the contact roll 44 whereby damage thereto will be prevented. Control roll 66 is similarly constructed and is operable in a similar manner and hence the details of its actuation need not be described.

On the opposite side of the workpiece, the backup or billy roll 64 is rotatably journaled to a frame 500 and is adapted to be power rotated by means of a hydraulically actuated low speed motor 502 through a gearbox 504. A second hydraulic high speed motor 506 can be connected to the gearbox 504 and can be alternatively actuated. Hence motors 502 and 506 provide for substantial range of speeds over which the billy roll 64 can be driven. The frame 500 is pivotally secured at supports 501 for pivotal movement in a transverse direction by means of a bifurcated support assembly 508 which straddles the frame 500 proximate its center. Support assembly 508 has an end plate 509 connected at opposite ends to rods 510 which are slidably connected to a frame 512 whereby the assembly 508 and hence the billy roll 64 can be moved transversely towards and away from the workpiece W. A hydraulically driven screwjack assembly 514 is centrally located and con nected between the frame 512 and the support assembly 508 via plate 509. The jack assembly 514 is selectively driven by a fluid motor 516 whereby the position of the assembly 508 and hence of the billy roll 64 can be selectively adjusted by the operator to be in a position to engage the opposite side of the workpiece W. A hydraulically actuated piston member 518 is interposed between jack assembly 514 and plate 509 and is normally held actuated to its maximum outward position and hence does not normally vary the position of the billy roll 64. However, in the event of detection of breakage ofthe abrasive belt 58, the piston 518 is actuated to release pressure whereby the hilly roll 64 can be quickly retracted. Note that both pistons SH? and 408 are normally in extreme positions and hence upon replacement of the grinding belt 58, the original positions of the control roll 62 and billy roll 64 can be readily reestablished merely by actuating the piston 408 to move back to its retracted position and by pressurizing the piston 5l8 to move the billy roll 64 to its outermost position.

As previously noted, the billy roll 64 is pivotally secured by means of the bifurcated mounting assembly 508. The plate 509 extends in opposite vertical directions from the assembly 508 and has an upper piston assembly 522 and a lower piston assembly 524 attached at opposite ends. The piston assemblies 522 and 524 can be actuated by the operator such as to bit... the hilly roll 64 substantially in a vertical position as shown. They can be interconnected by appropriate relief valves such that the hilly roll 64 will be able to pivot on the pivot support 508 in response to a force tending to move one or the other of the piston assemblies 522, 524 whereby the billy roll 64 can follow the contour of the workpiece W.

The depth of cut is determined by the combined action oi the control rolls 62 and 66 and billy roll 64. Thus now looking to FIG. 11 it can be seen that the position of the hilly roll 64 is selected relative to the position of the feed-in control roll 62 and the contact roll 44 to determine the depth of cut on the workpiece W. The position of the other control roll 66 is located to be in line with the contact roll 44. With this ar-- rangement, the workpiece W is firmly gripped and held in position by the three point contact as provided by the conti \Jl rolls 62 and 66 and the billy roll 64. Note that when feeding the workpiece W through the grinder section I2 in the opposite direction, the positions of the control rolls 62 and 66 would be reversed.

Looking now to FIGS. 10 and 12, as previously noted, the contact roll 44 is driven by means of the electrical motor 46 via the wheels 48, 52 and by the belts 50 and 56. The abrasive belt 58 is supported to extend over the contact roll 44 and over the idler roll 60. The contact roll 44 and idler roll 60 are held in support assembly 600 which includes hydraulic cylinder 602 whereby the idler roll 60 and contact roll 44 can be held a selected distance apart maintaining tension on the abrasive belt 58. An oscillating assembly 605 includes means whereby the idler roll 60 will be pivoted in a vertical plane whereby the belt 58 can be made to move in selective directions axially relative to the contact roll 44 and whereby the belt 58 will be kept on the contact roll 44. Since such belt oscillating apparatus is well known in the art and since the tion, the details have been omitted for the purpose of simplicity. Note that the motor 46 is reversible'such that the grinding belt 58 can be rotated in either direction and hence as the workpiece W is reversed in its direction to the grinding section 12, the direction of rotation of the belt 58 can be reversed, if necessary.

As the workpiece W is fed through the grind section 12 into the feed section 16, the feed section 16 (similar to the feed section 14), can be actuated to grip the workpiece W and assist in driving it through the grind section 12. At this time the workpiece W is received upon the vertical support roll assemblies 22f to 22;, with the guide roll assemblies 30d to 30 being maintained apart.

When the workpiece W is received into the guide section the section can be actuated to reverse the direction of the workpiece W whereby another grinding operation will be performed upon the surface previously ground. As noted, in this situation the control rolls 66 and 62 will be switched in position. I

It is important that both sides of the workpiece W be finished to remove scale, etc. To accomplish this, the guide section 20 can be revolved 180. Looking now to the FIGS. 20 and 21, the guide section 20 is generally supported upon a support plate 70 which in turn is supported by roll assemblies 72 which are adapted to ride upon the circular track 74. The support plate 70 is connected to a hydraulic motor and gear assembly 75 at its center whereby upon actuation of the motor and gear assembly 75 the entire plate 70 and guide section 20 will be rotated l80 whereby the opposite surface of the workpiece W can be ground. A locating and locking assembly 701 is operative with a locating button 703 to accurately position the support plate 70 and hence the guide section 20.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the invention.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for grinding generally flat surfaced workpieces comprising: feed means for vertically supporting and feeding said workpieces to a grinding section, grinding means at said grinding section for grinding at least one face of the workpiece as it is moved therethrough, said grinding means including abrading means for removing material from a vertical face of said workpiece and support means adjacent said abrading means for supporting the workpiece at at least two horizontally spaced points on one side of the workpiece and a third point located intermediate each of said two at least horizontally spaced points and on the opposite side of the workpiece, said support means each being selectively movable toward and away from the workpiece to a position for gripping the workpiece and locating it relative to said abrading means whereby the depth of cut is determined, said horizontally spaced support means each including actuating means for rapidly ap lying a force against the workpiece for rapidly moving the workpiece away from the abrading means in the event of a predetermined occurrence, said intermediate support means including release means for providing for rapid movement of the intermediate support means from the workpiece in the event of said predetermined occurrence.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said feed means supports the workpiece on an edge.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support means supports the workpiece at only two' horizontally spaced points on one side of the workpiece and at a third point located intermediate said two points and on the opposite side.

specific details do not constitute a part of the present inven- 4. The apparatus of claim 3 with said support means comprising three roll members located at said three points and said abrading means including an abrasive belt supported on a contact roll being located between said two points and generally opposite said one point with the one of said roll members at said one point being a billy roll.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 with said billy roll being power driven. v

6. The apparatus of claim 5 with said release means and said actuating means each comprising a piston movable rapidly from a first fixed position to a second fixed position whereby in the event of replacement of the belt after breakage each said piston can be actuated to its original first fixed position whereby the original depth ofcut can be quickly reobtained.

- 7. The apparatus of claim 6 with said intermediate support means including pivot means for supporting said billy roll for a pivotal movement about a longitudinal, horizontal axis.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 with said pivot means including pivot actuating means for biasing said billy roll in a substan tially vertical position.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 with said pivot-actuating means comprising at least one fluid actuated piston and cylinder assembly located at one vertical side of said axis.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 with said feed means including workpiece feed means located on opposite sides of said grinding means for selectively feeding the workpiece in said grinding means from opposite directions.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said feed means comprises a first feed means and a second feed means associated therewith, said second feed means being disposed adjacent to, and feeding the workpiece into said grinding section.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 with said first feed means including guide means associated therewith for guiding the workpiece into the associated second workpiece feed means.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 including rotatable means for supporting one of said guide means and for rotating said one of said guide means to a position at which the workpiece can be guided into the associated one of said second feed means whereby the opposite side of the workpiece can be ground.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 with said first feed means comprising a plurality of support rolls supported to rotate on transverse, horizontal axes and means selectively actuable for varying the vertical position of said support rolls.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 with said guide means comprising a plurality of pairs of guide rolls supported to rotate on vertical axes and located on opposite sides of the workpiece for guiding the workpiece and moving means for independently moving ,each of said pairs of guide rolls towards each other to grip the workpiece or away from each other to release the workpiece.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the guide rolls are pivotally supported.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 including means for maintaining said guide rolls in a generally vertical position.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 in which said moving means supports one roll of said pair of guide rolls for movement in response to variations in thickness of the workpiece.

. 19. The apparatus of claim 18 including drive means selectively actuable for driving said support rolls whereby the workpiece can be moved longitudinally.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 with each of said second workpiece feed means comprising a pair of pinch rolls supported for selective simultaneous movement relative to the workpiece and for selective movement relative to each other.

2]. The apparatus of claim 20 with each of said pinch rolls being supported for pivotal movement about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis to fixed positions angulated relative to the vertical.

22. The apparatus of claim 18 including means supporting said guide rolls for pivotal movement about a horizontal, longitudinal axis.

23. Apparatus for grinding generally flat workpieces comprising: conveying means for supporting the workpiece on an edge, grinding means for grinding a vertical face on the workpiece as it is moved therethrough, and feed means for feeding the workpiece into said grinding means, said grinding means including abrading means for removing material from said face, said conveying means and said feed means including workpiece feed means located on opposite sides of said grinding means for selectively feeding the workpiece in said grind ing means from opposite directions, said conveying means including guide means associated with said workpiece feed means for guiding the workpiece into the associated one of said feed means and rotatable means for supporting one of said guide means and for rotating said one of said guide means to a position at which the workpiece can be guided into the associatcd one of said feed means whereby the opposite side of the workpiece can be ground.

24. Apparatus for grinding generally flat workpieces comprising: conveying means for supporting the workpiece on an edge, grinding means for grinding a vertical face on the workpiece as it is moved therethrough, feed means for feeding the workpiece into said grinding means, said grinding means including abrading means for removing material from the vertical face, said conveying means including guide means associated with said feed means for guiding the workpiece into said feed means, said guide means comprising a plurality of pairs of guide rolls supported to rotate on vertical axes and located on opposite sides of the workpiece for guiding the workpiece and moving means for independently moving each of said pairs of guide rolls toward each other to grip the workpiece and away from each other to release the workpiece.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 including means supporting said guide rolls for pivotal movement about a horizontal, longitudinal axis.

26. Apparatus for grinding generally flat workpieces comprising: conveying means for supporting the workpiece on an edge, grinding means for grinding a vertical face on the workpiece as it is moved therethrough, feed means for feeding the workpiece into said grinding means, said grinding means including abrading means for removing material from the verti' cal face, said feed means comprising a pair of rolls located on opposite sides of the stock, support means selectively actuable in one condition for moving said pair of rolls together and in another condition for independently moving one of said rolls relative to the other.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 with said support means being actuable to pivot said rolls to selected positions about a horizontal, longitudinal axis.

28. Apparatus for grinding generally flat surfaced workpieces comprising: first feed means for vertically supporting the workpiece, grinding means for grinding a vertical face on the workpiece as it is moved therethrough, second feed means for feeding the workpiece into said grinding means, said grinding means including abrading means for removing material from the vertical face and support means adjacent said abrading means for supporting the workpiece on opposite sides of the workpiece, said support means comprising a billy roll located generally opposite said grinding means and a control roll located adjacent said grinding means, said abrading means including an abrasive belt supported on a contact roll, first support means for supporting said billy roll for selective movement toward and away from the stock, second support means for supporting said control rolls for selective movement toward and away from the stock, said first and second support means including actuating means for rapidly moving said billy roll and said control rolls to positions moving the workpiece away from said contact roll in response to the occurrence ofa preselected event.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 with said preselected event being belt breakage.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 with said actuating means comprising a piston movable rapidly from a first fixed position to a second fixed position whereby in the event of replacement of the belt after breakage said piston can be actuated to its original first fixed position whereby the original depth of out can be uickly reobtained.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 with said actuating means being associated with said first support means and with said first support means including pivot means for supporting said billy roll for pivotal movement about a longitudinal, horizontal axis, said actuating means rapidly moving said billy roll away from the stock. 

1. Apparatus for grinding generally flat surfaced workpieces comprising: feed means for vertically supporting and feeding said workpieces to a grinding section, grinding means at said grinding section for grinding aT least one face of the workpiece as it is moved therethrough, said grinding means including abrading means for removing material from a vertical face of said workpiece and support means adjacent said abrading means for supporting the workpiece at at least two horizontally spaced points on one side of the workpiece and a third point located intermediate each of said two at least horizontally spaced points and on the opposite side of the workpiece, said support means each being selectively movable toward and away from the workpiece to a position for gripping the workpiece and locating it relative to said abrading means whereby the depth of cut is determined, said horizontally spaced support means each including actuating means for rapidly applying a force against the workpiece for rapidly moving the workpiece away from the abrading means in the event of a predetermined occurrence, said intermediate support means including release means for providing for rapid movement of the intermediate support means from the workpiece in the event of said predetermined occurrence.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said feed means supports the workpiece on an edge.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support means supports the workpiece at only two horizontally spaced points on one side of the workpiece and at a third point located intermediate said two points and on the opposite side.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 with said support means comprising three roll members located at said three points and said abrading means including an abrasive belt supported on a contact roll being located between said two points and generally opposite said one point with the one of said roll members at said one point being a billy roll.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 with said billy roll being power driven.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 with said release means and said actuating means each comprising a piston movable rapidly from a first fixed position to a second fixed position whereby in the event of replacement of the belt after breakage each said piston can be actuated to its original first fixed position whereby the original depth of cut can be quickly reobtained.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 with said intermediate support means including pivot means for supporting said billy roll for pivotal movement about a longitudinal, horizontal axis.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 with said pivot means including pivot actuating means for biasing said billy roll in a substantially vertical position.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 with said pivot-actuating means comprising at least one fluid actuated piston and cylinder assembly located at one vertical side of said axis.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 with said feed means including workpiece feed means located on opposite sides of said grinding means for selectively feeding the workpiece in said grinding means from opposite directions.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said feed means comprises a first feed means and a second feed means associated therewith, said second feed means being disposed adjacent to, and feeding the workpiece into said grinding section.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 with said first feed means including guide means associated therewith for guiding the workpiece into the associated second workpiece feed means.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 including rotatable means for supporting one of said guide means and for rotating said one of said guide means to a position at which the workpiece can be guided into the associated one of said second feed means whereby the opposite side of the workpiece can be ground.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 with said first feed means comprising a plurality of support rolls supported to rotate on transverse, horizontal axes and means selectively actuable for varying the vertical position of said support rolls.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 with said guide means comprising a plurality of pairs of guide rolls supported to rotate on vertical axes and located on opposite sidEs of the workpiece for guiding the workpiece and moving means for independently moving each of said pairs of guide rolls towards each other to grip the workpiece or away from each other to release the workpiece.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the guide rolls are pivotally supported.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 including means for maintaining said guide rolls in a generally vertical position.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15 in which said moving means supports one roll of said pair of guide rolls for movement in response to variations in thickness of the workpiece.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 including drive means selectively actuable for driving said support rolls whereby the workpiece can be moved longitudinally.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 with each of said second workpiece feed means comprising a pair of pinch rolls supported for selective simultaneous movement relative to the workpiece and for selective movement relative to each other.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 with each of said pinch rolls being supported for pivotal movement about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis to fixed positions angulated relative to the vertical.
 22. The apparatus of claim 18 including means supporting said guide rolls for pivotal movement about a horizontal, longitudinal axis.
 23. Apparatus for grinding generally flat workpieces comprising: conveying means for supporting the workpiece on an edge, grinding means for grinding a vertical face on the workpiece as it is moved therethrough, and feed means for feeding the workpiece into said grinding means, said grinding means including abrading means for removing material from said face, said conveying means and said feed means including workpiece feed means located on opposite sides of said grinding means for selectively feeding the workpiece in said grinding means from opposite directions, said conveying means including guide means associated with said workpiece feed means for guiding the workpiece into the associated one of said feed means and rotatable means for supporting one of said guide means and for rotating said one of said guide means to a position at which the workpiece can be guided into the associated one of said feed means whereby the opposite side of the workpiece can be ground.
 24. Apparatus for grinding generally flat workpieces comprising: conveying means for supporting the workpiece on an edge, grinding means for grinding a vertical face on the workpiece as it is moved therethrough, feed means for feeding the workpiece into said grinding means, said grinding means including abrading means for removing material from the vertical face, said conveying means including guide means associated with said feed means for guiding the workpiece into said feed means, said guide means comprising a plurality of pairs of guide rolls supported to rotate on vertical axes and located on opposite sides of the workpiece for guiding the workpiece and moving means for independently moving each of said pairs of guide rolls toward each other to grip the workpiece and away from each other to release the workpiece.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 including means supporting said guide rolls for pivotal movement about a horizontal, longitudinal axis.
 26. Apparatus for grinding generally flat workpieces comprising: conveying means for supporting the workpiece on an edge, grinding means for grinding a vertical face on the workpiece as it is moved therethrough, feed means for feeding the workpiece into said grinding means, said grinding means including abrading means for removing material from the vertical face, said feed means comprising a pair of rolls located on opposite sides of the stock, support means selectively actuable in one condition for moving said pair of rolls together and in another condition for independently moving one of said rolls relative to the other.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26 with said support means being actuable to pivot said rolls to selected positions about a horizontal, longItudinal axis.
 28. Apparatus for grinding generally flat surfaced workpieces comprising: first feed means for vertically supporting the workpiece, grinding means for grinding a vertical face on the workpiece as it is moved therethrough, second feed means for feeding the workpiece into said grinding means, said grinding means including abrading means for removing material from the vertical face and support means adjacent said abrading means for supporting the workpiece on opposite sides of the workpiece, said support means comprising a billy roll located generally opposite said grinding means and a control roll located adjacent said grinding means, said abrading means including an abrasive belt supported on a contact roll, first support means for supporting said billy roll for selective movement toward and away from the stock, second support means for supporting said control rolls for selective movement toward and away from the stock, said first and second support means including actuating means for rapidly moving said billy roll and said control rolls to positions moving the workpiece away from said contact roll in response to the occurrence of a preselected event.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28 with said preselected event being belt breakage.
 30. The apparatus of claim 29 with said actuating means comprising a piston movable rapidly from a first fixed position to a second fixed position whereby in the event of replacement of the belt after breakage said piston can be actuated to its original first fixed position whereby the original depth of cut can be quickly reobtained.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30 with said actuating means being associated with said first support means and with said first support means including pivot means for supporting said billy roll for pivotal movement about a longitudinal, horizontal axis, said actuating means rapidly moving said billy roll away from the stock. 